On Saturday, makeup brand the Crayon Case started a Kobe Bryant makeup challenge, and people online have mixed reactions to it.
The million-dollar, Black-owned brand, started by Raynell “Supa Cent” Steward, kicked off on day one of Black History Month, with the late NBA great as the first challenge to draw inspiration from.
“Let’s start this challenge with a special tribute to Kobe Bryant. One of history’s greatest basketball players! We send our love to all family and friends effected by this devastation,” the now-deleted post read, along with a suggested color palette.
Many online could not fathom how the New Orleans brand could use Bryant for “promotional purposes” so soon after his death. (Bryant died on Jan. 26.)
“I’m sorry but this ain’t it , this tragedy shouldn’t be turned into a ‘makeup challenge’ to get noticed by a brand,” user @tyraajaneaa wrote in a now-viral tweet.
I’m sorry but this ain’t it , this tragedy shouldn’t be turned into a “makeup challenge” to get noticed by a brand 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/PvJ2Eydj2B
— tyra. (@tyraajaneaa) February 1, 2020
Others called it “odd” and “distasteful.”
“The fact that y’all don’t understand why it’s fucking odd to use Kobe as inspiration for a makeup look, given what just happened is very very weird to me. I’m disappointed in Crayon Case and Supa Cent. Because i doubt if he hadn’t passed this would even be a thing right now,” Twitter user @_kelaimani wrote.
The fact that y’all don’t understand why it’s fucking odd to use Kobe as inspiration for a makeup look, given what just happened is very very weird to me. I’m disappointed in Crayon Case and Supa Cent. Because i doubt if he hadn’t passed this would even be a thing right now..
— aries season otw. (@_kelaimani) February 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/alanaauston/status/1223633119959486465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1223633119959486465&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php
If y’all do Kobe looks in support of the crayon case you can go ahead and block me because I️ will be blocking you.
— COWBOY CHVOS 🤠(SAY SOMETHING JAY) (@ChvosKing) February 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/theerealjasmine/status/1223855087119978497
I like The Crayon Case but I thought the Kobe challenge was a little too soon. I'm tired of seeing influencers use his death to promote their brands
— carolina guh in the big apple (@123itsmeMary) February 1, 2020
Yet, some defended the brand.
“Crayon Case is black owned and they’re doing a black history month challenge and they are dedicating day 1 to Kobe. They aren’t selling anything just saying ‘do a Kobe inspired look and tag us’. People gotta stop looking for things to be mad about,” Twitter user @ChynnaTown11 wrote.
It’s not an ad to buy something. Crayon Case is black owned and they’re doing a black history month challenge and they are dedicating day 1 to Kobe. They aren’t selling anything just saying “do a Kobe inspired look and tag us”. People gotta stop looking for things to be mad about
— 💕CHYNNA MAC ON SPOTIFY & APPLE MUSIC💕 (@ChynnaTown11) February 1, 2020
not people saying the only reason the Kobe post is a problem is because crayon case is blacked owned 😐😂
— ash ♥ (@theashracquel) February 1, 2020
Actually The Crayon Case doesn’t need to get noticed. They’re very well known already. It’s Black History Month so she’s doing challenges for the entire month. Of course Kobe would be the 1st day, his death is the most recent. Y’all will find a way to tear down other black ppl. https://t.co/1s8qCvzWlF
— Yutima Lekerra Barclay (@_lekerra) February 1, 2020
The Crayon Case allegedly added insult to injury by writing “who can kill it” in the caption of the post.
“Crayon Case posted a Kobe makeup challenge and added to the caption ‘who can k*ll it,’” Twitter user @alanaauston pointed out.
https://twitter.com/alanaauston/status/1223641374265958401
https://twitter.com/selenasbohoo/status/1223619601554079746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1223619601554079746&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php
The challenge then took embarrassing heights when users began allegedly tagging Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, in their inspired creations.
“Y’all are tagging this mans wife in a post about a makeup challenge not even a week after she lost her husband and daughter. IS IT WORMS??? Don’t nobody, especially her, wanna see your opportunistic ugly ass make up looks. Go outside, touch grass,” Twitter user @yagirtoomuch wrote.
I like The Crayon Case but I thought the Kobe challenge was a little too soon. I'm tired of seeing influencers use his death to promote their brands
— carolina guh in the big apple (@123itsmeMary) February 1, 2020
Wait @CruzanChoklate why is crayon case doing a Kobe makeup challenge for day one of black history and ppl at tagging his wife.
— Da Hood Brat (@AwkwardlyAisha) February 2, 2020
The Crayon Case eventually deleted the challenge post and addressed the backlash in a public statement.
“Please receive our words with an open heart! We only wish to honor our legends,” it wrote. “Due to the recent tragedy of loss, we chose to honor Mr. Bryant through our craft, cosmetics. This day was inspired by a master of his craft. We used our gifts to highlight his challenge.”
It wrote that the challenge was not connected to promotional purposes in any way.
“This was only intended to be a kick off to a month of Black history. The remaining honorees and references through the month are to highlight moments of historical pride and acknowledgment,” the Crayon Case wrote.
Please receive our words with an open heart! We only wish to honor our legends! pic.twitter.com/73zvBVsWMP
— The Crayon Case Cosmetics (@thecrayoncase) February 1, 2020
The Daily Dot has sent the Crayon Case multiple requests for comment.
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